Alumni proud to support Illini

There were years when former Illinois receiver Aaron Moorehead would avoid eye contact or conversation on college football Saturdays while sitting in the Indianapolis Colts locker room.

John Supinie

There were years when former Illinois receiver Aaron Moorehead would avoid eye contact or conversation on college football Saturdays while sitting in the Indianapolis Colts locker room.

The five-year NFL veteran didn't have much to brag about when Illini football was losing game after game.

"You didn't want people trying to bet you clothes, trying to bet you dinner or something,'' Moorehead said. "You didn't want it. You knew they weren't going to win. That's a tough pill to swallow coming of a college career where we were winning a lot of games. Even seasons where we weren't playing well, we were still competitive.

"I'm just glad to see we're back on track.''

Moorehead, like a growing number of former players, are watching up close. When Illinois hosts Ball State today in the homecoming game at Memorial Stadium, standing on the sidelines will be a growing number of former Illini. Against the Cardinals, the former players, alumni and fans could see the Illini gain bowl eligibility for the first time in six years.

Like everyone else, the former players returned when Illinois began to win again. The Illini already have more wins this year than the last two seasons combined and could win more games this season than the eight victories in the previous four seasons combined.

"When you're younger, you go back and really don't care,'' Moorehead said. "You want them to win, but you don't care as much. You want to see your buddies and old friends. After you've been out a while, you don't know anyone on the team. Winning is what brings you back to town.''

Tim Brasic lost the starting quarterback job in his senior season last year, but this is still his favorite team. He even had a picture taken with 49ers tight end Vernon Davis, the older brother of Illini cornerback Vontae Davis.

"It comes back to being an Illini fan,'' Brasic said. "I got to play for the team I loved, and I still love them. Our blood, sweat and tears were part of this.''

Dana Howard, the 1994 Butkus Award winner, saw former teammate Tim Simpson for the first time in 10 years, he said.

"No question,'' Howard said. "I would have come play linebacker for coach (Ron) Zook. He understands we're the lifeblood of the program. What we say out in the community is important.''

After winning five straight games, Illinois carries a two-game losing streak. Illinois needs one more victory for bowl eligibility, and Zook said earlier this week that there appeared no letdown after the 27-17 loss to Michigan last weekend.

"I told our football team that it's imperative that we prepare the same way we prepared last week,'' he said. "They're playing for an awful lot. It's crucial, imperative and important, just as it is for Ball State. We're both trying to become bowl eligible.''

Ball State brings sophomore quarterback Nate Davis, who ranks 12th nationally by averaging 285.7 yards passing per game. The Cardinals had them nervous in Nebraska, who survived with a 41-40 win in September. Ball State compiled 522 yards of total offense against Nebraska, 585 yards at Navy and 658 yards against Central Michigan.

Davis has thrown 20 touchdowns with only three interceptions, but Ball State struggles at stopping the run. Zook bristled when he was asked if this game gives him a chance to work more on the passing game behind the two-quarterback system of starter Juice Williams and backup Eddie McGee.

"(Ball State) doesn't give us the opportunity to do anything other than be our very, very best and do the things we have to do to give us an opportunity to win,'' Zook said.

That's what those former Illini like to see on the sideline.

John Supinie can be reached at Johnsupinie@aol.com. For more coverage, read Illini Talk blog at www.sj-r.com and www.pjstar.com.